O’Connell completed all eight pass attempts in the first half for 163 yards while being elusive, in rushing for 70 yards. St. Thomas led 21-14 at halftime, thanks to an 86-yard fumble return by defensive end Ayo Idowu.

“When called upon, it was impressive to see our quarterback pull it together and be the dual threat that he is,” coach Glenn Caruso said.

St. Thomas (12-0) advanced to the Division III quarter–finals for the fourth straight season. It will take on Hobart College, situated in upstate New York, at home Saturday. Hobart (12-0) advanced by defeating Wittenberg 35-10.

Fresh off of a week in which the Tommies allowed only 9 net rushing yards, they faced one of the top running backs in Division III.

Bluejays senior Scottie Williams rushed for 105 yards, including the opening 16-yard touchdown. Late in the second half, Williams surpassed 2,000 yards rushing for the season.

“We pride our team on pounding the rock, but they gave us some opportunities to use the middle of the field,” said Bluejays coach Tim Lester, whose team capitalized on two pass plays in excess of 35 yards each in the first half.

Braddock attempted to rally the Tommies from an early 7-0 deficit. Instead, he fumbled, Elmhurst’s Dan Vicari recovered, and that set up the Bluejays’ second score.

Caruso had to rally his players after being down early.

“It’s not a position we are used to being in, but we never felt the pressure,” he said.

O’Connell connected with Matt Misiewicz for an 88-yard pass early in the second quarter to tie the score 14-14. Play action helped free the freshman receiver in the middle of the field.

“He was able to get wide open after a safety moved, and he became wide open,” O’Connell said.

After two successful drives by the offense, the Tommies’ defense asserted itself.

Idowu recovered a fumble for a second straight week after denying the option run in the second quarter. The senior snatched up the ball and covered the 86 yards to a TD over time.

“I just slowly trotted my way into the end zone,” said Idowu, who collected the ball after the quarterback and running back were crushed on the play.

Bethel falls

Wisconsin-Oshkosh rallied from a 14-0 deficit with 37 unanswered points to defeat Bethel 37-14 in a second-round game at Oshkosh.

Cole Myhra rushed for 177 yards for the Titans (12-0), who held Bethel (9-3) to 74 yards in the second half.

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